3 Golden Knights trade targets after Stanley Cup Final loss

The Vegas Golden Knights lost in the Stanley Cup Final to the Carolina Hurricanes. After their third Cup Final appearance in nine seasons, Vegas is likely going to go all-in on the trade market this season. Could the Golden Knights make a big trade this offseason, especially with Dylan Larkin available?

The Golden Knights have very few draft picks to trade and even fewer prospects to dangle in trades. But in their nine-year history, that has not stopped them. They have traded for most of their key players, including Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Rasmus Andersson, and Noah Hanafin. If they are looking to improve this offseason, history shows they will do it in the trade market.

Larkin is the best player available in the trade market, but he is far from the only player the Golden Knights can go out and get. Who else should they call on this year?

Dylan Larkin wants to come to the Golden Knights

When Larkin requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings, he gave them a list of three teams he would accept a deal to. One of them was Vegas, which should have surprised no one. They are always in contention, Nevada has no state tax, and he teamed up with Eichel to win the gold medal back in February. It makes sense from Larkin’s side, but it may not from the Golden Knights’ perspective.

The Golden Knights have just $4.6 million in cap space, according to Puckpedia. Larkin’s cap hit is $8.7 million per year, so already, there is a problem. While that does include players Vegas might trade, like William Karlsson, it does not account for other deals they might sign. Is trading for Larkin a better move than re-signing Andersson after the picks they gave up for him at the deadline?

The Golden Knights may not trade for Larkin this year, but he would be a solid addition to their center depth. On paper, they do not need him. But that does not mean they aren’t going to make the deal.

A defenseman would be a better fit in Vegas

The Golden Knights have made trades for defensemen from the Calgary Flames in two of the last three seasons. At the 2024 trade deadline, they picked up Hanafin, and they got Andersson this year. But this offseason, they won’t be able to go back to Calgary, as they don’t have the high-end defensemen Vegas needs. The New York Islanders do, though, and they could be good trade partners.

The Islanders could shop Adam Pelech, who will be 32 years old on opening night next year. Considering their logjam of left-handed defensemen, getting a return for Pelech could provide them with stronger draft capital to build around Matthew Schaefer. Pelech has three years left on his deal at $5.75 million per season and has a 16-team no-trade list.

The Islanders’ dream would be to get Pavel Dorofeyev in return. That type of forward is exactly what they need, but the Golden Knights are likely to find a way to re-sign him. Instead, a 2028 first-round pick and forward prospect Jakob Ihs-Wozniak would be a great return.

A buy-low opportunity with the Devils

The Golden Knights need a defenseman, but they also need a new head coach. John Tortorella won’t be returning after the Stanley Cup Final run, and reports indicate that AHL coach Ryan Craig could get the job. That opens up the possibility that a developmental prospect could be coming to Vegas to show off the ability of their developmental coach. Simon Nemec was once the No. 2 pick in the draft, but has worn out his welcome with the Devils.

Nemec has played 155 games with the Devils, but has not provided the value they need from a 2nd overall pick. The Golden Knights don’t have a ton of cap space, and would have even less if they re-sign Dorofeyev. Nemec is a restricted free agent who needs a new contract, and the new one should not cost much.

The Golden Knights could get away with just giving the Devils some mid-round picks. The second-rounder that Tortorella cost them by skipping out on the media could cost them here. But if anyone has lived the “F*** them picks” lifestyle, it’s Vegas.

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